Award for creative talent in anti-drug publicity design competition (with photos)
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    Many drug abusers take drugs for fun.  They think they can control their drug-taking habit and can kick the habit whenever they wish. Many don¡¦t have a clue as to how drugs can affect their lives.

     However, ¡§CHOICE¡¨, the winning team in an anti-drug publicity design competition today (December 10), thinks otherwise.  Comprising of three secondary two students, the team understands that there is no free lunch in this world.  Even for lucky draw, one must contribute something in return for a try.

     The same rule applies to taking drug.  Brief moments of ¡§pleasure¡¨ and ¡§relief¡¨ is often followed by poor health, family problems and the loss of a bright future.

     In the short film they produced, the team brought out the various reasons for youngsters for taking drugs and what they had lost as a result of the habit.  Using the ¡§Wheel of Fortune¡¨ as an analogy, participants of the game are gambling away their health, their families and their lives by taking drugs.

     The anti-drug publicity design competition is part of a publicity project jointly organised by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and Commercial Radio 2.  The nine-month project aims to press home anti-drug messages and to encourage young people to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

     The young participants shared with the audience the rationale and message behind their creative works, which include short films, a leaflet, a piece of rock music and a T-shirt at the presentation ceremony held at Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre (DIC) today.

     The winning team ¡§CHOICE¡¨ was awarded cash and a trophy.  The other four teams were also awarded certificates in appreciation of their efforts.

     ACAN member, the Hon Fred Li Wah-ming, and the Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Rosanna Ure, were the competition judges.

     Guests of the ceremony, entertainers Niki Chow and Kenny Kwan sang pop songs to encourage young people to stay away from drugs.

     The winning team shared their experiences and feelings in an interview by a Commercial Radio 2 disc jockey.  The interview will be broadcast on Commercial Radio 2 next Monday (December 12).

     The creative works of the five teams will be exhibited at DIC later.

Ends/Saturday, December 10, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:35

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